COLUMBUS – Designer Brands Inc. (NYSE: DBI) a retailer and designer of footwear and accessories, announced that DSW will be the exclusive distributor for the Hush Puppies brand in North America, beginning in 2022.
DSW’s partner is the Rockford, Michigan based Wolverine Worldwide (NYSE: WWW).
The brand, founded in 1958 by Wolverine, was enormously popular, and well advertised, in the 1970s, and thrived during the era before athletic shoes were considered proper casual wear. The brand had a retro revival in the 1990s.
“Hush Puppies is a wonderful brand for Millennials who desire both style and comfort in their busy, on-the-go lifestyles,” said DSW’s Chief Merchandising Officer Jim Weinberg, in a press release.
Kate Pinkham, General Manager & Vice President of Hush Puppies, was equally enthusiastic about the project, saying, “We are thrilled to launch this partnership and have our line of optimistic, colorful and comfortable products exclusively available at DSW stores across the U.S. and Canada.”
Hush Puppies is a division of Wolverine World Wide. Wolverine owns a large group of shoe brands, including Sebago, Bates, Merrell, Chaco and Wolverine. In 2012, Wolverine added the shoe brands Saucony, Keds, Stride Rite and Sperry Top-Sider, acquiring the portfolio for $1.23 billion from Collective Brands.